UNM Bookstores Town Hall

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Thurs., January 30, 2025

2 - 3 P.M.  |  Virtual

 

Join the UNM Bookstores to learn about exciting updates on how course materials will be provided through a new Equitable Access (EA) program across campus starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. This session will outline upcoming changes, explain how they impact students and faculty, and provide an opportunity for your questions and feedback. Don’t miss this chance to stay informed and engaged in shaping our campus’s future! 

Program FAQ'sIt's in the Data!Town Hall Slide Deck

 

 

 

Event Video

Thank you to all who attended the event! 

To view the recording of the Town Hall, please click the link below and sign in with your UNM credentials.

 



Program Overview FAQ

What is the Equitable Access (EA) Program? 

The Equitable Access program is a new initiative aimed at reducing course material costs for students. This program provides undergraduate students with all their required course materials for a flat, predictable charge each term. The goal is to ensure students have immediate, affordable access to their materials, reducing barriers to academic success. This program has been successfully implemented at universities across the United States, and we are excited to offer it at UNM beginning in Fall 2025. 

Our program is flexible and offers multiple options. Students can opt to stay enrolled in the "bundle" of all required course materials (EA), opt out and use a course-by-course model offering low-cost digital materials through Inclusive Access (IA), or opt out of all programs and acquire materials independently. 

Students can also choose to rejoin the program at any time before the semester registration deadlines. Charges will be processed in real-time with the Bursar’s office. 

 

What are the benefits of the EA program?  

The UNM EA program provides undergraduate students with all their required course materials for a flat, predictable charge each term. It ensures students have immediate and affordable access to their materials, helping to remove barriers to academic success. The flat-rate pricing model also offers a financially predictable solution for course materials. 

 

Who can participate in the Equitable Access Program? 

All undergraduate students, regardless of credit hours, from Albuquerque campus will be enrolled in the EA program and initially receive a Bookstore Charge for EA. Professional, Continuing Education, Graduate, and branch campus students are not eligible for the program. 

 

Do students need to sign up for the Equitable Access Program? 

No, all students deemed eligible (see above) for the EA program will be opted in by default.   

 

Are students required to participate in the Equitable Access Program? 

No. While all eligible students are automatically enrolled, they may choose to “opt out” of the EA program each semester. The opt-out deadlines coincide with the Registrar’s “Last Day to Drop Without a ‘W’ Grade and 100% Tuition Refund” on LoboWeb. For more details, visit the Registrar’s Deadlines. 

 

What is the flat rate per semester for the EA program? 

The charge for the academic year that includes Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 will be $279 per semester.  

 

How is the EA flat rate per semester calculated?

The pricing for the flat rate per semester for EA is calculated using the most current enrollment data, the average cost of materials from prior academic year, and the cost to administer the program, which includes software and platform fees.

 

What academic materials are covered by this program? 

All adopted and required course materials are covered. This includes adopted kits for courses such as Architecture, Engineering, and some Art Studio courses. Optional course supplies are not included and must be purchased separately. 


FAQs for Students & Faculty

How do I access my course materials? 

All digital course materials will be delivered via the RedShelf platform on Canvas. You’ll have immediate access on or before the first day of classes on your Bookshelf. Print books included in the program will be made available for pick up at the UNM Bookstore.  

 

How will the EA flat rate appear on my Bursar’s Statement? 

The EA flat rate will appear as a "Bookstore Charge" on your Bursar’s statement, similar to the current Inclusive Access (IA) charges.All charges for EA will be in real time as you register for classes.

 

What materials are covered by the EA flat rate?

All course materials adopted through the UNM Bookstore that are required for a course are included. Recommended materials and supplies are not covered and must be purchased separately.

 

What if I take courses at multiple UNM campuses? 

If you are enrolled in courses at both the Albuquerque campus and branch campuses, you may incur additional costs for materials from non-participating campuses. Students in this situation may choose to opt out of EA to better manage their costs. 

 

Can I get physical copies of the materials? 

If you are enrolled in the EA program and it shows you need physical textbooks on your Bookshelf in Canvas, you can pick them up from the UNM Bookstore when they are available. Optional print upgrades for select courses in the Inclusive Access program will also be available for purchase at additional costs from the UNM Bookstore. 

 

Are students who are opted into in the EA program required to return printed textbooks at the end of the semester?

Students may keep any print-format materials they receive.

 

Will students retain access to digital course materials after a course is over?

Yes, for certain materials. Many of the digital textbooks may be downloaded to a device and read after the term is over. However, digital courseware such as McGraw-Hill Connect or Pearson MyLab are usable only for the semester during which they were originally provided. Unless otherwise noted, access to these materials expires once the term is over.

 

How do I know if the EA program is the best option for me? 

A price comparison tool will be available in your Bookshelf in Canvas that allows you to compare the EA program, the IA program, and purchasing materials individually. This will help you make the most cost-effective choice. 

 

How do I opt out of the EA program or change my participation plan? 

You can opt-out using the link provided in the email you will receive at the start of the term or on your Bookshelf in Canvas, until the opt-out deadline (see below). 

 

What is the opt-out deadline? 

The opt-out deadlines coincide with the Registrar’s “Last Day to Drop Without a ‘W’ Grade and 100% Tuition Refund” on LoboWeb. For more details, visit the Registrar’s Deadlines.  

 

When am I charged for the EA program? 

If you stay opted into the EA program, you will see the flat-rate charge on your first university bill of the semester. You have until the last day to drop a course without penalty to opt out of the program and the charge would then be reversed. This gives you the maximum amount of time to make choices about their schedule.  

 

Can I use my financial aid to pay for the EA program?   

Yes, you can work with the Bursar's office to apply your financial aid toward this program. However, please note that New Mexico Lottery and Opportunity Scholarships do not cover the cost of course materials. 

  

I opted out but now want to rejoin the EA program. Is it possible? 

Yes, you can re-enroll in the EA program through Canvas, as long as it is before the opt-out deadline.  

 

How do I obtain required textbooks that are not available in digital format? 

Physical textbooks can be picked up at the UNM Bookstore. More details on the process will be provided closer to the start of the semester. 

 

I have a disability and need academic accommodation. How does this work? 

RedShelf eReader (https://www.about.redshelf.com/accessibility) will be available through Canvas and has been built with accessibility in mind. Any needs not met by the eReader can be directed to the Accessibility Resource Center (https://arc.unm.edu/).  

 

Are both required and optional course materials included in the EA program? 

No, only required materials are included in the EA program. Optional materials suggested by your instructor can be special ordered and purchased separately from the UNM Bookstore. 

 

I am waitlisted for a course. How do I get access to the program course materials? 

Waitlisted classes will still appear on your Bookshelf in Canvas, giving you access to the materials for those courses during the add/drop with 100% tuition refund period. Access will disappear after that date unless your status is reclassified as “enrolled.” 

 

I am an undergraduate student taking graduate classes, do I need to pay for the course materials of these classes? 

No, students registered as undergraduates will have all required course materials included, regardless of the type of course. This means that materials for graduate-level courses will also be covered alongside your undergraduate courses. 

 

Will course materials still be available at the UNM Bookstore? 

Yes, if you're opted into the EA program, your print textbooks will be available at the bookstore. If you opt out of both the EA and IA programs, you can still special order and purchase print textbooks or eBooks (if available) directly from the UNM Bookstore. 

 

What if I add/drop a course? How do I get access to my materials? 

  • When adding a course: The course materials will be made available to you on Canvas. If printed materials are required, you will receive an email with instructions to pick them up at the UNM Bookstore.
  • When dropping a course: Digital course materials access will be removed from Canvas, and you will need to return any printed materials provided by the program.

 

Please note that course enrollment changes may take up to 48 hours to be processed. 

Can I still choose my own course materials? 

Yes, faculty retain academic freedom to choose any course materials, including digital or physical copies, Open Educational Resources (OER), or materials from the UNM Bookstore. Only required course materials are included in the EA program. 

 

How does the EA program affect my adoption process? 

Faculty should continue to submit course material adoptions through the standard process, but starting Fall 2025, a new tool will be used for gathering adoptions. Notifications and tutorials on the new tool will be provided in late Spring 2025. 

 

Can I still send students links direct to the publisher or elsewhere to acquire their course materials? 

Yes, but not without incurring additional costs for students. We encourage all instructors to work with the UNM Bookstore so that all required course materials—both digital and print—can be provided under the flat-rate fee. 

 

What support will be available for students who need help accessing EA materials? 

Students can access the RedShelf platform through Canvas. Additionally, the UNM Bookstore offers support to ensure all students have the necessary access to their materials. Faculty can direct students to the UNM Bookstore for assistance. 

 

If I cancel my adoption, will my students still get charged? 

The EA program is a flat-rate, semester-based program that covers all required textbooks for all undergraduate students. This Bookstore charge is not based on individual classes. Therefore, if you decide to cancel an adoption for your class, students will not automatically incur additional charges or receive a refund. If the student opted out of the EA bundle and purchased materials for your course through the IA or individual options, they may be eligible for a refund.  

 

Can I still use OER for my courses? 

Yes! This program supports the use of Open Educational Resources (OER) and encourages faculty to use it. The more digital content and OER included in an EA program, the lower the cost per semester can be for the student when costs are evaluated annually.  

 

My course doesn’t require textbooks. Why would students in my course benefit from this program? 

This program applies to all undergraduate courses. Students enrolled in other courses may find that those courses require additional paid content, making the EA program beneficial. 

 

How can students access lab manuals and coursepacks? 

Custom-created lab manuals and coursepacks will be distributed to participating students through the UNM Bookstore at the start of courses, if the instructor has provided an adoption for these items. This program does not cover materials printed by the UNM Copy Center. Students will receive an email when materials are ready for pickup, or this information can be found on their Bookshelf in Canvas. 

If students are opted in, their orders for print materials will be placed automatically. Students who opt out of the EA program can order lab manuals or coursepacks on their own from the UNM Bookstore website (bookstore.unm.edu). 

 

Will course materials only be provided in a digital format under this program? 

No, faculty can still choose their own course materials and delivery formats, including print.  

 

How do I get a desk copy of my chosen course materials? 

As in the past, you can contact your publisher representative directly to request a desk copy of your selected texts. 

 

Digital course materials are not suitable for my course. Will exceptions be made to accommodate print? 

Yes, if you prefer print materials, please specify any such requests when submitting your textbook adoptions.  

 


It's in the Data!

In 2024, students and faculty at UNM were surveyed to better understand their experiences with course materials, including costs, accessibility, and overall satisfaction. The survey aimed to gather insights on:

  • How students currently acquire course materials
  • The financial burden of required materials across different fields of study
  • Faculty perspectives on textbook selection and affordability
  • Awareness and perceptions of the Equitable Access (EA) program

 

Explore the survey findings: